Opera Australia presents The Pearlfishers at the Sydney Opera House

Let us be friends until death - Zurga & Nadir, Act I

Who would have thought that a duet between two men, pledging eternal friendship over the love of a beautiful woman, would have become the one operatic moment thousands of Australians cannot live without? 'In the depths of the temple', Number one song in the ABC Classic 100 Opera is set to ring out from the inimitable Michael Lewis as Zurga with Henry Choo making his role debut as Nadir.

Zurga is leader of the Pearlfishers and Nadir is his young protégé. One day, as they gaze upon Léïla, the pearlfishers' virgin talisman, they vow never to let love come in the way of their friendship. But this is opera at its most romantic, so in spite of their vow, Nadir and Léïla fall foolishly, dangerously and inevitably in love.

This intricate and visually captivating production, created by Ann-Margret Pettersson, casts a knowing light on the nineteenth-century imaginings of ancient Ceylon. As for Bizet's music, it overflows with dramatic energy and lyricism. After her success as Lakmé, Leanne Kenneally gives voice to the impossibly beautiful Léïla, while once again conductor Emmanuel Joel-Hornak brings Bizet's rich and subtle score to life.

Schedule Details Departs:

• Thursday 4 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Tuesday 9 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Wednesday 17 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Tuesday 23 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Thursday 25 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Saturday 27 September, 2008 at 1:00pm
• Friday 3 October, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Thursday 9 October, 2008 at 7:30pm

Departure Point: The Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point, on Sydney Harbour. The Opera Theatre can be reached from the Concourse (44 steps). Departure Time: Please refer to Departure Dates. Itinerary:

On a beach in Ceylon the people of a pearling village sing to bring good fortune to the divers, who each year risk death to gather pearls from the sea's depths. They unanimously elect Zurga, the head fisherman, as their chief. Nadir appears and is recognised by Zurga as his childhood friend. Nadir explains that, during his long absence from the village, he has lived as a hunter. Zurga welcomes him joyously and invites him to take his place among the pearl fishers.

Nadir reminds Zurga of the time they were travelling together and had seen, at the gates of Kandi, worshippers prostrate before a beautiful young priestess. Both men had immediately fallen in love with her and had agreed for the sake of their friendship to deny that love. Nadir says that he has not forgotten his word and the two men reaffirm their friendship. The High Priest Nourabad and the villagers welcome the Priestess Léïla. They believe that if she remains veiled for a year her prayers will drive away the evil spirits. She must also remain chaste. Nadir recognises her voice as that of the Priestess whom both he and Zurga have renounced. He expresses the longing which her unexpected appearance has aroused in him. Léïla begins her incantations to the gods, breaking off her prayer to confess her love for Nadir.

In the ruins of a temple Léïla recalls that, as a very young girl, she gave shelter to a fugitive and refused to betray him to his pursuers. The grateful fugitive gave her a necklace which she still wears. Léïla falls asleep but is woken by the sound of Nadir's serenade to her. He enters the temple and the two declare their love. As Nadir steals away a violent storm breaks out and the young man is captured by Nourabad and his followers. The High Priest denounces Léïla and tears the veil from her face. Zurga, who has joined the crowd, recognises Léïla. His jealousy of Nadir overwhelms him and he decrees that death must be the punishment. But he soon regrets the blind fury that has led him to condemn his friend.

Léïla pleads to Zurga for Nadir's life, claiming that the sin is hers alone. The people call for the deaths of the lovers. Before she is taken away Léïla takes off her necklace and asks for it to be sent to her mother. Zurga examines it closely and realises that it is the necklace he gave years before to a child who saved his life.

Léïla and Nadir prepare to face death together. Zurga rushes in to tell of a terrible fire which is destroying the camp. The dismayed pearl fishers rush away to save what they can of their possessions. Zurga quickly releases Léïla and Nadir. He tells the lovers that it was he who set fire to the camp and, showing Léïla the necklace, declares that he is now repaying the debt he owes her. Léïla and Nadir escape while Zurga awaits death in the fire.

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